stephenm93
asked on
DHCP: SonicWall TZ170 vs. Windows 2003 Server
Hello Experts.
I'm in the process of designing a new network for a client and have the following question: What are the advantages/disadvantages of letting a firewall solutiong like the SonicWall handle DHCP as opposed to letting Win Server 2003 handle it? Also, If firewall handles DHCP, should server need to act as DNS?
Current configuration of this client is Linksys Router handling DHCP (no firewall) with Win NT server handling AD and acting as primary domain controller. Currently serving 8 clients running Win 98. I'll be moving them to Server 2003 and all clients running XP Pro. Server will still be PDC with AD. I'm not planning on using it for DNS unless there are good advantages for doing so.
All opinions are appreciated.
Regards,
Stephen
I'm in the process of designing a new network for a client and have the following question: What are the advantages/disadvantages of letting a firewall solutiong like the SonicWall handle DHCP as opposed to letting Win Server 2003 handle it? Also, If firewall handles DHCP, should server need to act as DNS?
Current configuration of this client is Linksys Router handling DHCP (no firewall) with Win NT server handling AD and acting as primary domain controller. Currently serving 8 clients running Win 98. I'll be moving them to Server 2003 and all clients running XP Pro. Server will still be PDC with AD. I'm not planning on using it for DNS unless there are good advantages for doing so.
All opinions are appreciated.
Regards,
Stephen
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Stephen,
You approach looks very logical. This is that same design I have used in many different companies. It is a solid design.
After you perform the installation, you will have to forward Windows 2003 DNS to the ISP DNS servers for Internet DNS resolution. You DSL ISP will give you these settings. Make sure to turn off DNS and DHCP on the Router/Firewall.
Later
You approach looks very logical. This is that same design I have used in many different companies. It is a solid design.
After you perform the installation, you will have to forward Windows 2003 DNS to the ISP DNS servers for Internet DNS resolution. You DSL ISP will give you these settings. Make sure to turn off DNS and DHCP on the Router/Firewall.
Later
ASKER
Great. I will do just that.
Regards and thanks for the quick response.
Stephen
Regards and thanks for the quick response.
Stephen
ASKER
What would you recommend for hardware configuration? Below is what I propose:
|-> Server 2003 (PDC, DHCP, AD, DNS, WINS)
DSL -> (WAN) Firewall (LAN) -> Dell Switch -
|-> LAN Clients
I only plan on using one NIC on the server and letting LAN clients remain inside the firewall. All external traffic in and out would then pass through the SonicWall. Might there be a better route to take?
Thanks again.
Stephen